Aged Care Education Videos

Deprescribing Psychotropics

Tuesday 29 April 2025

The overuse of antidepressants and psychiatric medications is a growing concern for healthcare and regulatory bodies, including the NDIS Commission and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Both the Disability and Aged Care Royal Commissions have called for efforts to reduce this overuse.

Stopping these medications safely has been neglected in psychiatric teaching, leading to significant harm from severe and prolonged withdrawal effects. The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines aim to address this gap.

Withdrawal effects are more common and severe than previously recognized, with some people experiencing debilitating protracted withdrawal syndromes. These effects can be mistaken for a relapse or new condition, highlighting the need for better recognition and distinction.

Advances in the science of stopping antidepressants have led to updated UK guidelines on gradual, hyperbolic tapering.

Target Audience: GPs, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Pharmacists, any prescribers or clinicians that have regular contact with people using psychotropic medications

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify when, why and in whom to stop antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs
• Describe the risks of stopping these medications too quickly
• Distinguish between withdrawal effects from these drugs and relapse of an underlying condition
• Apply the latest principles in safe tapering to stopping these drugs classes, adjusted to the individual patient

Speakers:

Dr. Mark Horowitz MBBS PhD is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry with the NHS in England and a Visiting Lecturer in Psychopharmacology at King’s College London. He holds a PhD in the neurobiology of depression and antidepressant action.

Dr. Horowitz is the lead author of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines and co-authored the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ guidance on ‘Stopping Antidepressants’. His work has informed NICE guidelines on safe tapering of psychiatric medications. He has published papers in top journals and is an Associate Editor of Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. His personal experience with psychiatric medication withdrawal has greatly influenced his work.

Resources:

Dr Mark Horowitz Presentation – Deprescribing Psychotropics

RACGP Link to guidelines: Maudlsey Deprescribing Guidelines

Healthy End of Life Planning and Pro-active End-of-Life Care and Prescribing

Thursday 10 April 2025

This webinar shares detailed information on the Healthy End of Life Planning (HELP) App developed by La Trobe University and caring@home’s Prompts for End-of-Life Planning (PELP) Framework, National Core Community Palliative Care Medicines List and palliMEDS app.

Healthy End of Life Planning (HELP): Staying connected and accessing support from informal care networks is essential as we age and reach the end of life. The HELP app is part of an evidence based palliative care social prescribing model that is activating these support networks across Australia. This session will explore how health professionals can support this essential aspect of care as part of routine practice.

Pro-active end-of-life care: caring@home has developed a framework to support GPs to provide quality, person-centred care that aligns with the patient’s preferences – The Prompts for End-of-Life (PELP) framework.

This framework identifies four clinical end of life processes including:

• Advance care planning and person-centred care based on need (at risk of dying)
• Transition of focus of care needs from restorative to palliative (likely to die soon)
• Terminal care needs (dying) After death care (bereavement).

GPs also need to be adept in providing effective symptom control to patients in their last weeks of life. The palliMEDS app support GPs to provide optimal symptom management to their patients in the community.

A subset of this list the is the National Core Community Palliative Care Medicines List which identifies four medicines for use by home-based palliative patients in the terminal phase who require urgent symptom relief.

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the benefits of Healthy End of Life Planning (HELP)
• Describe the concept of palliative care social prescribing
• Implement a framework of palliative care to support timely planning and high-quality care for patients with a life-limiting illness
• Use the palliMEDS app to support prescribing for common symptoms in the terminal phase
• Identify 4 core palliative care medicines to support access to medicines in the community for urgent situations.

Speakers:

Prof Liz Reymond MBBS(Hons), PhD, FRACGP, FAChPM – Professor Reymond is Director of the national caring@home project.  She is  Co-Director of the Queensland Statewide Office of Advance Care Planning and PallConsult clinician support service. Liz offers education and training on end-of-life care to members of the community and clinicians across Queensland.

Niki Read, Public Health Palliative Care Unit, La Trobe University – Niki Read from the Public Health Palliative Care Unit at La Trobe University will outline the HELP Social Prescribing Service Model and present the latest research showing real benefits of network-centered-care at end of life.

More Information:

Download the HELP App today – https://healthyendoflifeprogram.org/help-app/

Caring@home apps – https://www.caringathomeproject.com.au/for-health-professionals/mobile-apps

Medication Safety QI Program Outline and Documentation

Tuesday 25 March 2025

An engaging and informative session covering the following topics:

• Home Medicines Review (HMR) process
• Medication Safety Resources and Patient Information
• Barriers to uptake of Home Medicines Reviews

If you would like more information, please contact Georgette Yassa, Medication Medication Safety Pharmacist and Researcher or your Primary Care Advancement Co-ordinator at SNHN via info@snhn.org.au or phone 9432 8250

Speakers:

Georgette Yassa, Medication Medication Safety Pharmacist and Researcher, SNHN

A Comprehensive Approach to Managing Dementia and Frailty in Older Adults

Tuesday 18 March 2025

This recording considers a wholistic team approach to managing dementia in the community and supporting prevention of deteriorating health including frailty incidence.

How do we use preventative strategies such as physical activity to slow the progression of both diseases? At what stage does dementia impact the management of frailty?

Topics Covered:

• National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034
• Managing patients with dementia and frailty
• Implementing Home Medication Reviews
• Lifestyle modifications and their impact on people with dementia and frailty

TARGET AUDIENCE:

GP’s, Practice Managers, Practice Nurses, Pharmacists and Allied Health Professionals working in General Practice in the Northern Sydney Region

Learning Outcomes:

• Analyse the impact of physical activity and lifestyle modifications at various stages of dementia, and develop comprehensive, patient-centered support plans that leverage a multidisciplinary team approach
• Evaluate and innovate clinical practices for managing this cohort
• Develop strategies for Home Medication Reviews and deprescribing

Speakers:

• Prof Maria Fiatarone Singh, Geriatrician – Maria is a geriatrician specialising in the integration of medicine, exercise physiology, and nutrition to enhance health and quality of life. She has held the John Sutton Chair of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Sydney since 1999. She has led numerous clinical trials and studies in Australia and the USA, focusing on exercise and chronic disease prevention and treatment.
• Georgette Yassa, Pharmacist
• Trina Colita, Dementia/Aged Care CNC, Northern Sydney Home Nursing Service
• Hema Patel, Primary Care Advancement Coordinator, SNHN
• Debra Clark, Aged Care Lead, SNHN

Introduction to After Hours in Aged Care

Tuesday 22 October 2024

This webinar provides an overview of After-Hours in aged care including:

• Overview of After Hours
• What is an After-Hours Action Plan?
• Organisation and Resident After-Hours
• Action Plans Policy and Procedures
• Health Pathways Case Studies

 TARGET AUDIENCE: This webinar is aimed at Residential Aged Care Home Staff, however GPs, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals are encouraged to review the recording.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the benefits of delivering After-Hours care
• Increase confidence to implement an After-Hours Policy and Procedure

Speakers:

Jane Calligeros, CDM Plus – Starting her nursing career in 2000, she gained experience in Acute Care in Australia and the UK. Jane has served as a Chronic Disease Nurse in General Practices and Aboriginal Medical Services. She holds Post Graduate qualifications in Chronic Disease Management and training in Health and Wellness Coaching. Her expertise in clinical software, funding mechanisms, Medicare Item Number requirements, and system-based processes makes her a valuable asset to Primary Healthcare and CDM Plus

Resources:

10 Strategies for Earlier and Better Detection of Dementia

Thursday 19 September 2024

The prevalence of dementia is rising in Australia, and early intervention can reduce its impact and improve quality of life.

This webinar will cover the importance of early diagnosis and the role of the healthcare team in detection and management of dementia, and will review modifiable risk factors and lifestyle factors.

Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss the importance of early diagnosis of MCI and dementia for effective treatment
• Consider the role of the multidisciplinary team in detection and management of MCI and dementia
• Provide a brief summary of evidence for modifiable risk factors for dementia
• Importance of lifestyle factors for the prevention of Alzheimers Disease

Speakers:

Professor Sue Kurrle AO MBBS PhD

Professor Sue Kurrle is a geriatrician and academic specialising in the care of older people. She holds the Curran Chair in Health Care of Older People at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health. With over 35 years of clinical experience at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital and 16 years at Batemans Bay and Moruya Hospitals, her expertise spans dementia, frailty, elder abuse, successful aging, and intergenerational programs.

Professor Kurrle leads the Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre, focusing on translating research into clinical practice to improve care for older adults. She has also been an advisor and commentator for the Emmy Award-winning ABC series “Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds”.

Resources:

Presentation – Strategies for earlier detection of dementia PHN Sept 2024

Healthy End of Life Planning (HELP) App for the Palliative Care Workforce

Thursday 25 July 2024

Palliative Care services are essential for delivering the best care for people at end of life but we can’t do it all. We need to encourage our clients and their families to have a system in place to access additional support from their friends and community.

The Healthy End of Life Planning (HELP) App is a free resource designed to coordinate this support for people in palliative and aged care settings. More about the HELP APP:    • The HELP APP | Healthy End of Life Pl…  

Learning Outcomes:

Viewers will gain:

• Strong understanding of network centered care and how this improves end of life experiences
• Insight into palliative care social prescribing and the HELP App
• Confidence in delivering the social prescribing model to patients and families as part of routine practice

Speakers:

Holly Smith – Public Health Palliative Care Unit, La Trobe University

Sally Brown – Public Health Palliative Care Unit, La Trobe University

More Information:

TARGET AUDIENCE: GPs, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Aged Care Health Professionals, Staff and Palliative Care workforce across the Sydney North Health Network region

Care Finders – Supporting older patients with complex needs to access services

Wednesday 12 June 2024

What is care finders?

• Care finders help people access aged care services and connect with other relevant supports in the community.
• Some older people need extra, intensive support to access aged care services and other supports in the community.
• In these situations, a care finder may be able to help. Care finders is a free service.
• It exists to support vulnerable people – who have no one else who can support them – to learn about, apply for and set up support services.

Topics to be covered:

• What is the Care Finder program and how we came to be
• Program eligibility
• Care Finder target populations
• Practical ways that Care Finder workers can support vulnerable older people in the community
• How to make a referral

Speakers:

Alicia Anschau | Community Engagement Consultant, YourSide / Care Finder

My Health Record for Aged Care

Wednesday 14 February 2024

This webinar provides an overview of the My Health Record system and the key information it contains, including the benefits of use for aged care health providers and how residents and their representatives can use and manage their records. It will also explain how aged care services and their authorised staff can access the My Health Record system.

Intended audience is primary care clinicians, managers and nursing staff working in residential aged care homes.

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the My Health Record system, its benefits to aged care patients/residents and what it contains
• Outline how healthcare providers and consumers can access the My Health Record
• Describe the security and privacy measures of the My Health Record system
• Outline how an organisation can register to use the My Health Record
• Describe My Health Record authorised and nominated representatives
• Outline an example journey of an aged care resident and their healthcare providers using the My Health Record

Updates in Osteoporosis Management

Tuesday 10 October 2023

This webinar provides an update on current therapies for osteoporosis highlighting current trends in sequential approaches to osteoporosis management.

It describes the role of the Ryde Hospital osteoporosis refracture prevention service and fracture liaison service in supporting primary care.

The webinar also addresses and describes the  treatment gaps pertaining to osteoporosis including misinformation about osteoporosis.

Learning Outcomes:

• Screening and management of osteoporosis in General Practice
• Implement the use of antiresorptive and anabolic therapies in osteoporosis
• Identify areas in general practice for collaboration with fracture liaison services

Speakers:

Dr Yoges Venugopal, Endocrinologist, MBBS, MRCP(UK), FRCP(Lon), FRACP
Dr Venugopal qualifications include subspecialty certification in Endocrinology and Diabetes from the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom.  Dr Venugopal has been a consultant endocrinologist with Queensland Health, working as the clinical lead and coordinator for diabetes and endocrine services in the Mackay region before moving to NSW. At present, she is appointed as a staff specialist at Ryde Hospital in the Osteoporosis refracture prevention services.

Karen Thomas, Senior Physiotherapist.
Karen is a senior Physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience in adult rehabilitation including orthopaedic geriatric, aquatic physiotherapy, and musculoskeletal caseloads. She is committed to health coaching and incorporating exercise prescribing as an ongoing lifestyle intervention. Karen is currently employed within the Northern Sydney Local Health District as the fracture liaison coordinator, part of the  Osteoporosis Refracture Prevention Service (ACI).

Dementia in Primary Care – Detection, Management and Latest Advances

Wednesday 9 August 2023

This webinar focuses on the Detection, Management and the Latest Advances in Dementia, presented by Professor Henry Brodaty, an internationally recognised authority on ageing and dementia.

Prof Brodaty discusses the diagnosis and management pathway, including the challenges faced in primary care, and provides an update on the latest advances in treatment options.

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognise the importance of a timely diagnosis and the barriers to diagnosis
• Identify cognitive concerns in general practice
• Establish and implement effective management plans
• Examine latest advances in dementia treatments
• Demonstrate enhanced local dementia support health pathways

Speakers:

Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty | Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health, University of NSW; Consultant Psychogeriatrician, Aged Care Psychiatry and Head of the Memory Disorders Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital.

Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health, Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, UNSW.

As well as being a prolific researcher, Henry is a senior psychogeriatrician within Aged Care Psychiatry and Head of the Memory Disorders Clinic at Prince of Wales Hospital.

He is a member of the Expert Advisory Panel for NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Care and has served on several New South Wales and Commonwealth committees related to ageing and dementia.

Let’s Get to the Bottom of IAD and PI’s in Aged Care

Thursday 8 June 2023

This webinar is designed to help you understand the implications of pressure injuries(PI’s) and incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD) and how these apply to the new Department of Health and Aged Care quality indicators introduced on the 1st April 2023.

In this webinar, participants will:
• Find out more about the scope of the problem in aged care
• Identify the difference between IAD and PIs
• Learn about prevention and management strategies for IAD

Speakers:

Dr Michelle Gibb | Founder and Director of Wound Specialist Services

Michelle is a nationally and internationally recognised wound expert and nurse leader with a passion for improving patient outcomes. Michelle has a Doctor of Philosophy, Masters of Nursing Science (Nurse Practitioner), Masters of Wound Care, Bachelor of Nursing and almost 20 years’ career experience in the specialty of wounds in a range of health service contexts. Michelle is a key opinion leader in the specialty of wounds and is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through her caring and compassionate approach combined with advanced skills gained through extensive experience and education.

Managing Pain: A Comprehensive Collaborative Approach in Residential Aged Care Facilities

Wednesday 7 June 2023

This webinar focuses on the issue of pain in the frail RACF resident. Topics include assessing and recognising pain in the cognitively impaired (including the use of non-verbal pain scales), safe and appropriate prescribing in the frail and elderly, managing pain at the very end of life and opioid conversion principals. Home visiting physiotherapist, Seyed Majlessi, discusses the new model of addressing persistent pain and the collaboration needed for successful outcomes. We also touch on what to look out for to reduce medication misadventures and miscommunication during patient transfers, particularly between hospital and the RACF.

Learning Outcomes:

• Assess, recognise and respond to pain in the cognitively impaired patient (including the use of non-verbal pain scales)
• Formulate safe and appropriate prescribing in the frail and elderly patients
• Implement pain management at the very end of life
• Examing opioid conversion principals including different formulations, strength and routes of administration
• Discuss new strategies to manage chronic pain

Speakers:

Professor Katherine Clark | Clinical Director of Palliative Care, NSLHD
Professor Clark is the current Clinical Director for Northern Sydney Local Health District. Katy is a Palliative Care physician who has worked as a clinician, manager, teacher and researcher in palliative care.

Dr Sara Qayyum | Palliative Care Physician

Seyed Faraz Majlessi | Physiotherapist

Faraz Majlessi is an APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and clinical educator. He founded MoveImprove Performance, providing specialized physiotherapy, exercise physiology, and acupuncture to seniors in their own homes. Faraz’s expertise lies in persistent pain management for the elderly. He has a passion for improving seniors’ quality of life and employs a holistic model of care that is less commonly practiced in Australia.

Palliative Aged Care Supportive Service (PACSS)

• Kelly Arthurs, Transitional Nurse Practitioner
• Alyssa Kim, Transitional Nurse Practitioner
• Sushila Khadka, Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care

Aging Successfully – HEALTHY, ACTIVE AND CONNECTED EXPO 2023

Thursday 11 May 2023

Speakers:

Prof Sue Kurrle | Geriatrician

More Information:

Powerpoint Presentation: Aging Successfully

Resources:

Transcript of video

Powerpoint Presentation: Aging Successfully, by Prof Sue Kurrle

Polypharmacy and the impact on older people

Tuesday 22 November 2022

This webinar addresses Polypharmacy and the impact on older people.

Through discussion and case studies, participants will gain understanding of practical tools/steps that GPs/nurses can take in identifying when patients require a medication review and practical steps in making that happen

Also reflect on the impact that social isolation has on older people.

* G-Meds tool (about)

* What triggers medication review? Hospital Discharge / health incident

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognise and respond to the impacts of polypharmacy on frailty/older people
• Develop a comprehensive management plan around deprescribing and medication management/reviews
• Assess and manage Polypharmacy/medication reviews with dementia patients to ensure continunity of patient care

Speakers:

Prof Sarah Hilmer | Geriatrician

Sarah is a Clinical Pharmacologist and Geriatrician at Royal North Shore Hospital. She is also a Conjoint Professor of Geriatric Pharmacology, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney.

Honorary Prof Dimity Pond | General Practitioner

Dimity is passionately interested in Aged Care and Dementia. She provides comprehensive general medical care to babies, children, young adults and the elderly. She is a specialised general practitioner and is an Honorary Professor at Western Sydney, University of Tasmania and University of New England.

Social Isolation and the Impact on Older People

Tuesday 25 October 2022

Through discussion and case studies, viewers will be equipped with tools and tips for GPs and Practice Nurses to connect older people to local community hubs and support networks.

Discussion includes the Social/Medical aspects and the interaction between the two and how they impact social isolation for older people.

Learn practical tools/steps that GPs can take to link patients up to services/support.

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognise and proactively respond to the impact of social isolation on older people
• Differentiate the need for medical or social prescription when working with patients experiencing social isolation
• Compare available services that promote social interaction and evaluate these against the lifestyle and needs of patients

Speakers:

Dr Stephen Ginsborg | General Practitioner
Dr Stephen Ginsborg is a GP with interests include mental health, and elder, palliative and intergenerational care. He cares for all ages, but the challenges of ageing have great resonance for him in his work. He is committed to developing strategies that assist community, GPs and other health care professionals to offer options for people, based on compassionate care in a manner and place of their choice.

Dr James Ibraham | General Practitioner
Dr James Ibrahim is a GP and Director of Terrey Hills Medical Centre. He is the current Chair of the RACGP Social Prescribing Specific Interest Group and Sydney North Health Network AOD clinical lead. On a mission to personalise primary care.

Resources:

Social Isolation Services List

Useful Weblinks

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2394670/

https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/the-facts-on-loneliness/

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/methodologies/measuringlonelinessguidanceforuseofthenationalindicatorsonsurveys

https://endingloneliness.com.au/resources/

MBS item numbers for Older Persons in the community including Case Conferencing

Wednesday 19 October 2022

Aimed at providing an overview of the Benefits to patient outcomes of using case conferencing and the MBS items available to support and provide care to the elderly population (living in the community, not those in residential aged care).

The MBS items discussed include:

• 75+ Health assessments- full comprehensive review of patient’s health, social, mental and physical health
• Care plans and team care arrangements- plans to provide appropriate referrals to allied health workers
• Home medication reviews- full review of medications to prevent any hospital risks due to medication mismanagement
• Case conferencing- service provision of multidisciplinary team meetings to work collaboratively to ensure best outcomes for patients
• DVA specific programs such as Coordinated Veterans Care Program and Allied health cycles of care- both of which are aimed at reducing hospital admission and support provision
• Mental Health Plans- the provision of a mental health plan to access psychological services in the elderly who may be suffering from any type of mental health condition (depression most common)

All of these programs focus on identifying health concerns within the elderly and providing support through referrals to allied health services appropriate to the person’s needs.

GPs and Practice Nurses/Support staff will learn how to make time to ‘book in case conferencing’ to utilise item numbers and improve patient outcomes.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify and manage a patient or group of patents that is making recurrent presentations to hospital (ED) through available support services
• Utilise appropriate MBS item number/s to ensure provision of support through referrals to allied health services appropriate to the patients’ needs
• identifying health concerns within the elderly through better understanding of MBS item numbers
• Outline effective referral pathways and options to ensure continuity of patient care

Speakers:

Wendy O’Meara | Primary Health Education Consultant

Resources:

Elderly Australians MBS Presentation

Desktop Guide to Chronic Disease Management and MBS Item Numbers

75+ HASS TEMPLATE

CVC Providers

Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms associated with Dementia and dealing with challenging behaviours

Tuesday 19 July 2022

This webinar assists GPs and other practitioners with the Detection of Dementia and the management of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD).

Through a series of case studies, viewers will be provided with skills to assistin the early detection of dementia in patients, alongside aid in determining appropriate referrals for health and support services in at risk patients.

In discussing SNHN Programs, LHD initiatives and the use of HealthPathways, viewers will modernise skills in assessing and treating the most common behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia, including the impact on family or carers.

Learning Outcomes:

• Utilise course information to determine, access, and designate appropriate health and support service referrals
• Recognise the early signs of dementia in patients and understand what servies are available for referral
• Recognise the most common behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (BPSD)
• Identify how symptoms present and how to manage
• Critique recommended pharmacological options available, including their indications, to treat some of the behaviors

Speakers:

Prof Sue Kurrle | Geriatrician

Prof Kurrle is with the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney and Director at the Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre. She is also Geriatrician and Clinical Director at the division of Rehabilitation And Aged Care at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital and Community Services.

Marie Alford | Head of Dementia Professional Services, Dementia Support Australia (DSA)

Marie is the Head of Dementia Centre Services, HammondCare at The Dementia Centre. In this role Marie leads the delivery and operations of programs including Dementia Support Australia. She is responsible for projects across The Dementia Centre with a focus on improving the quality of life for people in need.

More Information:

For more information, please visit the SNHN dementia webpage

Resources:

SNHN Support Information Access Slides

Prof Sue Kurrle Presentation – Management of behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia

Prof Marie Alford Presentation – Dementia Support Australia: Supporting when behaviour impacts care

Dementia webpage

Ageing and Dementia in People with Intellectual Disability

Thursday 9 December 2021

This CPD Activity that aims to improve the capacity of general practitioners to provide health care to people with intellectual disability with complex health needs.

Speakers:

Dr Seeta Durvasula | Clinical Director, NSLHD Intellectual Disability Health Service

Seeta Durvasula is a medical practitioner who has been consulting in intellectual disability medicine for more than 25 years.  She is the Clinical Director of two specialised multidisciplinary health clinics in Sydney for children and adults with intellectual disability.  She is a Senior Lecturer in Developmental Disability Health, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney.  Seeta’s research interests are in mortality, ageing and frailty, and health outcomes in people with intellectual disability.

Supporting Palliative Care Patients in Residential Care: Deprescribing, Pain Management & Anticipatory Medications in Palliative Care

Thursday 4 November 2021

This webinar provides an update on Palliative Care in the Northern Sydney region. Topics include Deprescribing, Pain Management & Anticipatory Medications in Palliative Care. Including information on Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC) tools and Palliative Care Needs Rounds

Speakers:

Professor Katy Clark | Clinical Director of Palliative Care, NSLHD

Professor Clark is the current Clinical Director of Palliative Care for Northern Sydney Local Health District. Katy is a Palliative Care physician who has worked as a clinician, manager, teacher, and researcher in palliative care

Prof Claire Johnson – RN, Ph

Professor Claire Johnson is the national director of the Palliative Aged Care outcomes Program (PACOP) at the Australian Health Services Research Institute. Claire will lead the development and implementation of PACOP to promote excellence in end of life care in residential aged care. In previous roles, including the Vivian Bullwinkel Chair of Palliative Care Nursing (Monash University) and Clinical Lead for End of Life Care (Eastern Health, Melbourne), Claire directed an extensive portfolio of clinical, behavioural and translational research to improve the quality and safety of care for people diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and of their families.

Carolyn Moir, Palliative Care Consultant BaptistCare

Carolyn has many years’ experience as a registered nurse; with post graduate qualifications in nursing management, adult education, business and palliative care. Her role as a Clinical Consultant Palliative Care in the BaptistCare in the Care Development Unit includes supporting and leading improvements in palliative care, clinical governance, policy development and key projects across 18 RCFs. Carolyn developed and rolled out the BaptistCare Palliative Approach called the Affirm, Balance and Comfort stages. With a strong research focus Carolyn has engaged the organisation in PCOC (PACOP), ELDAC and PACCS projects. Carolyn is in the final testing stage of developing a dementia EoLC tool as a doctoral candidate at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney.

Peter Hakewill, CMO, Dr’s on Call

Dr Peter Hakewell has close to 40 years of clinical medical experience, in a vast majority of clinical settings, giving him unparalleled experience in leading our team of doctors to treat patients in a wide variety of settings and fields. Peter is the founder of MSF Australia (Médecins Sans Frontieres – Doctors without Borders), having also spent close 20 years with MSF and the UNHCR, he has been posted to some of the most remote, underprivileged and medically challenging locations in the world, such as Rwanda, Afghanistan and Ethiopia. Since returning to Australia, he has turned his focus to providing medical care to those in need within the local community with a strong focus on the elderly and mental health.

Gay Lavery CNC QEOLC Project

Gay is a Palliative Care Nurse Consultant with Hammond Care.

Gay has many years’ experience as a Registered Nurse in the community; with post graduate qualifications in Midwifery, Tresillian, Cancer Nursing & Palliative care. She has worked in Community Palliative Care for Hammond Care for the past 10 years, supporting clients at home, in RACF & providing In reach services to local hospitals.

Her current role is with the Primary Health Network Palliative Care Quality End of Life Project (PCQEOL Project). This includes supporting RACF with identifying Residents who would benefit from Palliative approach to their care using Palliative Care Needs Rounds & PCOC’s assessment tools.

Transitional Nurse Practitioners: Palliative Aged Care:

Alyssa Kim is a Palliative Aged Care Transitional Nurse Practitioner within Northern Sydney Local Health District, based at Royal North Shore and Ryde Hospital, covering the lower North Shore region. Alyssa worked in the Drug & Alcohol service, community palliative care, Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) outreach service in the Sydney Local Health District. Alyssa has provided care for palliative symptom management and support as well as a comprehensive assessment for residents in RACF in particular individuals with advanced dementia. She also actively participated in Advanced Care Planning review alongside family conferences in the residential aged care facility to discuss goals of care and preferred end-of-life care pathway.

Kelly Arthurs is a Palliative Aged Care Transitional Nurse Practitioner within the Northern Sydney Local Health District, based on the Northern Beaches. She has over 18 years of experience working in Palliative Care as a Clinician and Educator. Kelly has provided symptom management and end of life care in various settings including: Palliative Care Units, the Community, Aged Care, and Private and Public Hospital Consultation. Kelly has extensive experience in mentoring and delivering education for nurses, care workers, and General Practitioners in palliative care and advance care planning. More recently Kelly’s focus has been on improving quality end of life care for people living with dementia.

Sushila Khadka is a Palliative Aged Care Transitional Nurse Practitioner within Northern Sydney Local Health District, based at Hornsby Hospital, covering the upper north shore region. Sushila has over 10 years’ experience in aged care and critical care, including the last 3 years’ as Chronic Health and Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Consultant for an aged care provider.  During her time as Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Consultant, she has provided care to residents with symptom management and end of life care. She has experience supporting families and staff at the residential aged care facilities with education, advance care planning and implementing Palliative Care Needs Rounds to some facilities. Sushila is dedicated to improving end of life care experience and creating capacity within residential aged care facilities to enhance palliative care.

Resources:

https://snhnlegacy.net.au/programs/aged-care/#palliative-care1

Mental Health Matters: Recognising a Resident with Depression or Anxiety

Thursday 4 November 2021

Speakers:

• Stephanie Farquharson, Mental Health Practitioner.
• Tilu Philip, Registered Nurse from the Anglicare Emotional Wellbeing for Older Persons Team.

Healthy Ageing and Frailty Webinar: Do You Know How to Make a Difference?

Thursday 26 August 2021

This webinar covered assessment of older people in order to understand the impact of frailty on patients and how early identification and targeted intervention can reduce frailty. This will help you make a difference to avoid inappropriate hospital admissions, keep people well and at home for longer and reduce their need for RACF placement. This education session will discuss a simple frailty screening tool and how you can make a difference to address the reversible contributing factors of frailty in your day to day practice. You will learn, its “never too late to build muscle!”

Speakers:

• Professor Sue Kurrle, GeriaTtrician, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, and Director, Staff Specialist and Geriatrician at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital and Community Services.
• Dr Chris Bollen, is a general Practitioner in South Australia and was Director GP Training at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for 12 years. He is the director of BMP Healthcare Consulting, helping organisations to deliver safe and effective care. Areas of expertise include systems for chronic disease management, doctors’ health, care of older people, the primary health care/community/hospital interfaces, quality improvement and change leadership.
• Jane Bollen, Registered Nurse, has worked as a general practice nurse in Adelaide for the past 10 years. Jane set up a Healthy Ageing Clinic at her practice with the aim to deliver more planned and structured care, use GP and nurse time more effectively, and to give enhanced access to those patients facing barriers to care.

Resources:

• Geriatrician Out Reach Service
• Health Navigators Northern Sydney – FAQs

Navigating Frailty and Aged Care – Guiding Patients and their Families through Available Services

Wednesday 7 July 2021

Topic Areas

• A new local Specialist Geriatric Outreach service to support general practice.
• The launch of our new Frailty screening app.
• How to utilise the new HealthNavigators service to help you find local services.
• General tips on the management of frail and older people and local aged care service navigation.

Speakers:

• Dr Yog Chopra, Staff Specialist Geriatric & General Medicine, Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital.
• Dr Praveenn (Prav) Sivabalan, Geriatrician, Royal North Shore Hospital.
• Dr Linda Xu, Geriatrician and General Physician.
• Omar Haidar, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Uniting Nth Sydney Home and Community Care.
• Jane Meccelli, Social Worker and Relationships Manager, Yourside.
• Video from Dr Gillian Meyer, Geriatrician, Mona Vale Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Unit.

Sydney North Older Persons Network What are Compassionate Communities and Compassionate Cities?

Thursday 13 May 2021

Speakers:

Dr Stephen Ginsborg, General Practitioner.

Dementia Webinar: Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms Associated with Dementia

Thursday 24 September 2020

Speakers:

Dr Allan Shell, Academic GP and Visiting Fellow (UNSW Australia).

Resources:

Click here to review the presentation.

Sydney North Older Persons Network – Suicide in Late Life: The Impact of COVID-19

Wednesday 26 August 2020